14 May 2025
Giant Pumpkins, Iconic Art, Castles and Culture
As we approached the port of Uno Ko, the soft light of dawn created a Japanese watercolour in the eastern sky promising a good day for last shore excursion of our Discover the Islands of Japan voyage.
Today saw guests tasked with choosing between exploring famed strolling garden Koraku-en Garden, first established by the Daimyō in the Edo Period, and one of Japan’s top three gardens where quirky bridges, koi, turtles and herons stalking the lily pads provided an impressive immersion in nature. Followed by Okayama Castle, the imposing, all black ‘Crow Castle’, the historic district of Kurashiki and a traditional bento box lunch before joining the locals exploring shop-lined the canals and the Ohara Museum of Art, Japan’s first museum to showcase Western masterpieces.
Or, a visit to Japan’s famed art island Naoshima, noted as the home for some of the country’s finest contemporary art including the Art House Project, Yayoi Kusama's famous pumpkins, and Benesse House and Chichu Art Museums both designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando and themselves giant works of art.
An incredible finale to our epic adventure.
Images © S. Bradley & J. Mishina, Heritage Expeditions
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